Graphophone-record case.



No. 665,8!3. Y Patented lan. 8, |90I. G. TUPHAM.

GBAPHGPHUNE RECORD CASE.

(Applicltion led Oct. 1B, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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NiTnD STATES PAENT GRAPHOPHONE-RECORD CASE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 665,813, dated January 8, 1901.

Application tiled October 18, 1900. Serial No. 33.489- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, GEORGE TOPHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Phonograph or Graphophone RecordCases; and'I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to phonograph or graphophone record cases; and it consists of a suitable case provided with one or more removable partitions, said partitions being provided with a record-holding device, whereby each record is separated from the other in an independent compartment, so that all liability of the records being injured by reason of one of the records becoming accidentally broken is removed, all as will be hereinafter described and set forth.

The invention also consists in certain other novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed.

The object of my invention is the production of a phonograph or graphophone record case which will be exceedingly compact and will permit of thel records being stored and carried in separate compartments and also permit of the record being conveniently removed for use without liability of in any way injuring the same. Phonograph and graphophone record cases as now generallyr constructed are provided with a series of recordliolders arranged vertically in the bottom of a case, all of the holders being arranged in the bottom thereof, anda hinged cover being secured to one edge of the lower section of the case and designed to be opened outwardly, so that a case at least one third larger than mine for the same number of records is required to be furnished and which is exceedingly inconvenient and cumbersome to carry and handle.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of a case made in accordance with my invention, showing the same in a closed condition. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same in an opened condition. Fig. 3 is adetail perspective view of a portion of the case, showing more particularly the construction and arrangement of the removable partitions and guides therefor. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the partitions forming a record-holding device. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the guides.

In describing my invention I will refer to a case having the capacity for holding twelve records, as shown in the drawings, it being obvious that a case of any desired capacity may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1 in the drawings represents my improved case, which consists of two sections, approximately of the same length, width, and depth, A

which are hinged together along one of their side edges, so that when the case is opened it will assume the position shown in Fig. 2. By thus constructing the case of two sections of approximately the same size and hinged in the manner shown the case is of substantially the same size when opened as when closed, which is a great convenience in carrying and also in opening for the purpose of removing a record. The case is provided with suitable fastenings and with a handle and otherwise ornameuted and finished, as shown clearly in Fig.v l. The section of the case which is brought over the lower section when the case is in afolded condition is preferably provided with a cover 2, which is held in place by suitable fastenings and which prevents the removable partitions 3, carrying the record-holders 4:, from accidentally sliding or slipping out of place. Each section is provided with a series of these partitions 3, which are made removable and work, preferably, in guides 5, provided on the inner faces of the sections.

I prefer to secure the retention and permit of the removal of the partitions by means of guides 5, as shown and described; but I do not wish to limit my invention to their use, for the reason that I believe I am the first to provide a removable partition with a recordholding device irrespective of the exact manner in which the withdrawal of the partitions is accomplished.

As heretofore stated, each partition is provided with a record-holding device 4, which forms, preferably, a part of the partition and is removable therewith. This holding device is circular in form and is of a size to permit of the ready placing of the record upon the IOO same and its removal therefrom. The partition, with the record-holding device, constitutes a removable record-holder and also a partition. The rear face of each partitionthat is, the face which comes adjacent to a record-is preferably padded, as at 6, so that the edges of a record will be fully protected.

The compartments are made of such a Width as to snugly hold each record and prevent the accidental displacement thereof. The vertical edges of each partition are preferably reinforced by metallic bindings 7, so as to facilitate the easy insertion and removal of the same. To economize space and to avoid the use of an additional partition,the record-holding devices at the ends of the case (designated by 8) are form ed, preferably, integral with the ends of the case, so that in removing a record from this holder it is simply necessary to remove the adjacent partition and slide the record from off the holder. By making the partitions removable and providing the record-holders with the partitions the removal of the records is greatly facilitated and the liabilityof crushing or injuring the record is greatly reduced, for the reason that a single partition, with the record in place, can be slid out and held by the-hand of the operator and the record then conveniently slid off of the holder, while the partition is held in the other hand. I regard these as novel and im portant features of my invention.

Each of the guides is constructed, preferably, of a single piece of metal, crimped and pressed into the shape shown in Fig. 5, which forms a very cheap and serviceable device and secures a channel for a partition to slide in and'attaching-flanges for the device.

The utility of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and is highly appreciated bythose who have seen the same.

As heretofore stated, the case may be made with any number of 'compartments as desired, and when made of double the size of that shown-that is, for twenty-four instead of twelve-the result would be accomplished, preferably, by having each partition carry two record holders and by extending the width of the case correspondingly.

While I have shown in the drawings half of the record-holders extending in one direction and the other half extending in the opposite direction, it is obvious that all the cylinders might extend in the same direction and thatin exhibiting` the goods the case might be set up on one end, so that all of the cylinders would be in a vertical position When the case is in this position, so that any one of the slides can be withdrawn Without liability of the record falling off.

Having now described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

l. Acase for containing and carrying graphophone and phonograph records provided with a-removable partition having a single cylinder projecting from the face thereof, said partition dividing the case into a plurality of compartments with accommodation for only one record in a compartment, substantially as described.

2. A case for containing and carryinggraphophone and phonograph records, provided with a partition which is capable of sliding vertically with respect to the case when the latter is restingon one of its sides, said partition having but a single cylinder which projects from the face thereof, said partition dividing the case into a plurality of compartments, substantially as described.

3. A case for containing or carrying phonograph or graphophone records, provided with a removable record-holder, each of said holders consisting of a base and a cylinder projecting from the face thereof, the back of the base being padded,s ubstantially as described.

4. A case for containing and carrying phonograph or graphophone records, provided with a series of independent individual compartments formed by removable partitions, each of the partitions being provided with a cylinder, the space between the partitions being such that a record Will fit snugly therein, and when the case is in a closed condition be prevented from having either a lateral or vertical movement, substantially as described.

5. A case for containing or carrying phonograph or graphophone records comprising in its construction a series of record-compartments formed by a removable partition, each of the partitions being provided with a cylinder which projects from the face thereof for holding a record, and a stationary cylinder at each end of the case for holding a record, substantially as described.

6. A case for containing and carrying phonograph or graphophone records, comprising in its construction two hinged sections, each of said sections being provided with a series of slides, each having a cylinder for supporting a record projecting from the face thereof, the record when in position in a compartment being contained entirely within said compartment, substantially as described.

7. A case for containing and carrying phonograph or graphophone records, consisting of two hinged sections, each of said sections being of substantially the same length, depth and Width and each section being provided with a series ot' independent record-compartments formed by removable sliding partitions provided with cylinders for holding records, each record being entirely contained within a compartment, the construction of the case being such that when it is in an opened con'- dition it will occupy a minimum amount of space, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE TOPHAM.

Witnesses:

JAMES S. TOPHAM, E. T. FENWICK.

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